iFi Audio ZEN One Signature

IFi’s ZEN range has been a hit and its response has been to push the platform in new directions. The ZEN One Signature is a departure from what’s come before in that rather than concentrating on one role, it broadens its focus.

This is still a DAC, but – while more affordable rivals are single input – the One Signature has multiple connections.

The USB port has 24-bit/384kHz PCM and DSD256 support plus full MQA decoding. This is joined by Bluetooth that covers every version of extended codec going. Finally, there are optical and coaxial inputs, though only one can be used at a time – the latter is also an output.

These access a Texas Instruments/ Burr-Brown chipset that is partnered with a high-precision clock and output stage that makes use of specifically chosen components. The output stage terminates in a pair of RCA connections and a 4.4mm Pentaconn port for a balanced signal. Unlike the company’s more affordable ZEN DAC V2 (HFC 480), the One Signature is not equipped to be a headphone amplifier and the outputs aren’t variable.